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Legacy Cancer Institute featured in breast cancer publication

Each quarter, Community Newspapers, a conglomerate of regional newspapers such as the Portland Tribune, Gresham Outlook, and the Tigard and Tualatin Times, publishes a special section titled “Healthy Life”. Each edition is focused on a specific health theme. With this quarter’s being focused on breast cancer, Legacy Cancer Institute’s providers and vast services were prominently featured.

Read below for section highlights and click here to read the publication in its entirety.

Since 1996, Johnson has led Legacy Cancer Institute – As one of the brightest stars in her field, Nathalie Johnson, MD, surgical oncologist and medical director of Legacy Cancer Institute and Legacy Breast Health Centers, is one of the Pacific Northwest’s top rated cancer surgeons. Dr. Johnson explains her approach to leading Legacy’s cancer program and where she wants to take it next.

New Screening technique for women with dense breasts – Women in the Portland metro-area who have been notified they have dense breast tissue, a risk factor for breast cancer, now have a new supplemental screening option at their disposal. Legacy Breast Health Center – Good Samaritan is the first provider in Oregon to offer patients the Invenia Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS). In patients with dense breast tissue and in conjunction with screening mammography, ABUS can increase detection of invasive cancer. ABUS offers high-resolution images of the entire breast, and decreases operator dependence of standard hand-held screening ultrasound.

It’s not how long you live, it’s how you enjoy your life – Research has found integrative medicine helps ease fatigue, improves patients’ ability to go about daily activities and results in better general health outcomes. Cynthia Aks, MD, surgical oncologist with Legacy Medical Group – Surgical Oncology, is a certified yoga instructor, Reiki master, and has earned an Ayurveda Medicine Level 1 certification. Her approach to cancer treatment is not only focused only on “traditional” methods of fighting the disease, but also on how integrative medicine, mindfulness and holism can ease anxiety, stress, and foster an easier transition out of surgery. In the article, Dr. Aks speaks about how integrative medicine including yoga and Reiki can benefit patients and survivors and what resources are available to them. She also touches on Legacy’s new in-house acupuncture capabilities.

Getting your Groove Back – After breast cancer therapy, patients’ sexuality can be impacted. And for some people, it’s part of the treatment that they have to go through, but for other people, it’s just the strain and the change they go through in their relationships. Nathalie Johnson, MD, shares tips and resources that are available for couples to regain intimacy and restart intimate relationships after a cancer diagnosis.

On the front lines of the battle against Lymphedema - Lymphedema is a feared complication of many breast cancer patients following the surgical removal of cancerous lymph nodes from the armpit. Legacy has adopted a procedure called “axillary reverse lymphatic mapping” or ARM to decrease the incidence of lymphedema for patients. Many patients who don’t undergo this procedure performed by Jenn Garreau, MD, and Nathalie Johnson, MD, surgical oncologists with Legacy Medical Group – Surgical Oncology, suffer through the painful effects of lymphedema and end up having to wear uncomfortable compression sleeves after surgeries.

Palliative Care versus hospice – People often confuse palliative care with hospice care. While hospice is for patients near the end-of-life who are no longer receiving cure-related treatment, palliative care is given to patients at any stage of a serious illness or injury. Many cancer patients may be missing out on help managing symptoms, planning for the future and/or emotional support because they fear it is only for people who are dying. Dr. Joseph Stenger explains the difference and why palliative may be the right choice for them.